BMW Motorrad R 12 vs Indian Motorcycle Super Chief Limited
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
BMW Motorrad R 12 and Indian Motorcycle Super Chief Limited are both cruisers and turn up together on most shortlists. The R 12 undercuts the Super Chief Limited by ₹2,38,978, a gap big enough to notice on the EMI but not to decide the argument on its own.
The R 12 takes 5 of the 5 categories we score. Our overall ratings are 7.5/10 for the R 12 and 5.5/10 for the Super Chief Limited.
Category by category
Price
R 12
The R 12 starts ₹2,38,978 lower (₹21,99,966 against ₹24,38,944), about ₹7,580 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
R 12
R 12 claims 19.6 kmpl against 14 kmpl. That is roughly ₹18,109 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Safety kit
R 12
R 12 adds traction control that the Super Chief Limited does not have on any variant.
City manners
R 12
R 12 is 108 kg lighter and taller in the seat (754 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Warranty
R 12
R 12 comes with 3 years of standard warranty against 2 on the Super Chief Limited.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the R 12 if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
- a longer standard warranty gives you peace of mind
Buy the Super Chief Limited if
- your priority is classic touring
- your priority is two-up long rides
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | R 12 | Super Chief Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹21,99,966 | ₹24,38,944 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹24,50,207 | ₹27,37,689 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹2,26,360 | ₹3,16,905 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹35,000 | ₹35,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹1,17,608 | ₹1,31,408 |
| Five-year total | ₹28,29,175 | ₹32,21,002 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | BMW MotorradR 12 | Indian MotorcycleSuper Chief Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹21,99,966 | ₹24,38,944 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹69,770 | ₹77,350 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 1170 cc | 1890 cc |
| Engine type | 2 Cylinder, Air/Oil Cooled, 4 Valves | 2 Cylinder, Air Cooled, 2 Valves |
| Power | 93.7 bhp | — |
| Torque | 109.8 Nm | 162 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 19.6 kmpl | 14 kmpl |
| Cooling | Oil-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 215 km/h | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 227 kg | 335 kg |
| Fuel tank | 14 L | 15.1 L |
| Seat height | 754 mm | 665 mm |
| Ground clearance | — | 125 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1520 mm | 1626 mm |
| Length | 2200 mm | 2286 mm |
| Width | 830 mm | 1079 mm |
| Height | 1110 mm | 1203 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 310 mm, 4 piston caliper | Disc, 300 mm, 4 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 265 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 300 mm, 2 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm | Telescopic Fork / 132 mm |
| Rear suspension | Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with Paralever brace | Dual Shocks w/ adjustable preload / 75 mm |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 100/90-R19 | 130/90-B16 |
| Rear tyre | 150/80-R16 | 180/65-B16 |
R 12 vs Super Chief Limited: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the R 12 or the Super Chief Limited?
- The R 12 is cheaper by ₹2,38,978 at the base variant (₹21,99,966 against ₹24,38,944 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the R 12 or the Super Chief Limited?
- The R 12 claims 19.6 kmpl against 14 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the R 12 and Super Chief Limited in Delhi?
- About ₹2,87,482: roughly ₹24,50,207 for the R 12 and ₹27,37,689 for the Super Chief Limited, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹28,29,175 for the R 12 and ₹32,21,002 for the Super Chief Limited, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The R 12 comes out ₹3,91,827 ahead.
